-pterous or -pteran
combining form in adjective
indicating a specified number or type of wings
⇒
dipterous
Origin
from Greek -pteros, from pteron wing-pterous
Word Origin
1
a combining form meaning “having wings” of the kind or number specified:
dipterous.
Origin
< Greek -pteros, adj. derivative of pterón wing; see -ous
Related Words
- -pter
- anisopteran
- apteral
- brachypterous
- chiropter
- Coleoptera
-pterousan adjectival word element meaning 'winged', as in dipterous.
[Greek -pteros, combining form from pteron feather, wing]-p·ter·ous
\pt(ə)rəs\ adjective combining form
Etymology: Greek -pteros -winged, from pteron wing, feather — more at feather
: having (so many or such) wings or winglike parts
< anisopterous >
< hexapterous >
< trichopterous >
< anisopterous >
< hexapterous >
< trichopterous >
-pterous-pteran
Suffix
- Having wings (of a specified size, type or number).
Etymology
Ancient Greek πτερ(όν) (pter(ón), “wing”) + -ous.
Derived terms
English words suffixed with -pterous